Mansfield man with interest in Pablo Escobar now trapped in Columbia for seven weeks

William ‘Bill’ Dobbin reached out to the Chad for assistance after a two week holiday turned into a seven week nightmare leaving him trapped thousands of miles from home.

Bill, of Mandeen Grove, flew to Cartagena from Heathrow on March 11, arriving a day later. He was due to fly back to the UK on March 24, but his flight was cancelled on March 23.

The 58-year-old was left stranded at the Hotel Hernandez Suite, Bocagrande Cartagena de Indias, on a peninsula where police prevent travel. The lockdown only allows for food shopping and hospital trips.

“Their lockdown was to end on April 27, it’s now extended to May 11, airports will remain closed until the end of May. If I get a plane back by June 1, I will have been here in Colombia nearly three months,” Bill said.

Bill works for Derbyshire County Council, in Matlock, as an architectural technologist. He previously worked for Nottingham City Council, Ashfield District Council and Nottingham City Hospital.

“I came to Colombia with an interest in Pablo Escobar and his cocaine escapades. Having watched the "American Made" film I wanted to come and check out the country,” he said.

“I watched the USA TV series about him. I tried to get to Escobar's ranch but it in the middle of the country and lockdown prevented me getting there.

“I don’t even know if I have a job anymore. I have contacted the British Embassy but they have not as yet provided details of a repatriation flight back to UK.

“My sister Hilary contacted MP Ben Bradley, who provided a phone number for the Foreign Office, but no answer. I know my sisters, and family will be worrying.

“I am bearing up, going with the flow but it is time to come home. The people are very friendly but few speak English so I have to use pigeon Spanish and Google translator.”

Bill’s sister Hilary Dobbin, who lives in Bulwell, said they were “worried sick” about their younger brother.

“We just want him to come home safe. I have tried to get help for him but we haven’t heard anything from anyone. I contacted the MP a month ago,” she said.

Ben Bradley MP said: ‘‘My office has done everything in our power to support constituents stranded abroad and many have been able to return home either on commercial flights or through the help of the Foreign Office.

“As an MP I don’t have any individual control over this, but can direct people to the arrangements the Foreign Office are able to make with individual countries. In this case, they have chartered two special flights to return British Citizens from Colombia in the coming weeks and I have sent this information to Mr Dobbin today.’’

And this afternoon, a delighted Bill added: “I have just received an email from British Embassy that they are arranging planes back to the UK. I am now going to try and book it.”